Seven Yasen-Class Subs to Join Russian Navy by 2021

26.04.2012 Russian defense ministry plans to obtain seven Project 885 Yasen nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines (SSGN) by 2021. Last six new subs will be more silent and armed with stronger missiles, reports ITAR-TASS referring to a source in the government's military-industrial committee.

According to the interviewee, the first Yasen-class submarine – SSGN Severodvinsk – will finish trials and join Russian Navy in 2012. Lead sub of upgraded Project 885M laid down in 2009, low-noise SSGN Kazan will be completed in 2015. Other five subs of this project to the overall amount of RUR 150 bln will be built for Russian Navy by 2021.

Total cost of seven Yasen-class subs exceeds RUR 200 bln. According to the source, one Project 885M sub costs as much as 1.5-2 submarines of Project 955 Borei.

"Project 885M subs will have hypersonic cruise missiles with maneuvering warheads capable to fly up to 1,000 km, deepwater homing torpedoes, rocket torpedoes and other arms, up-to-date radioelectronics, sonar system, communication and navigation facilities. Such subs will be much more silent than analogous Russian and foreign submarines", said the interviewee.

Project 885 nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Severodvinsk was developed by the Malakhit Design Bureau in St. Petersburg. The sub was laid down at Sevmash shipyard in 1993 and launched on June 15, 2010.

Displacement is 9,500 tons; length is 120 meters; test depth is 600 meters; crew is 85; submerged speed is up to 32 knots.

Torpedo tubes are placed behind central station which makes room for larger bow sonar antenna. There are 8 vertical launchers for missile arms.

Yasen-class submarines are designed for attacking enemy subs, including nuclear ballistic missile ones, surface ship groups, naval bases, ports, and other assets.

It was reported in Feb 2012 that Russian defense ministry was planning to purchase ten Project 885 Yasen submarines under State Arms Program 2011-2020.